Black Rednecks and White Liberals, by Thomas Sowell

Sowell is always good, a debunker of myths, and this is one of his most fascinating reads.  “Much has been written about the sheer neglect of history in our educational institutions . . . Far more insidious and dangerous, however, is the promotion of a history created as a projection into the past of current notions and agendas.”

First, the so-called Black culture exists only in the urban Black centers today – centers created by welfare state activities (housing developments, etc.).  Has no correspondence in Africa, but stems from the Cracker/Redneck (proudly dysfunctional) culture of the early settlers of the Southern states, originating in the lawless English-Scottish border lands – from dialect to sloth, eschewing long range planning.  No longer significantly evident among Whites or Blacks in the South (or in Scotland since the 1800’s).  A fascinating historic sketch. 

Illustrates the educational and social success of Blacks, often surpassing Whites of the same community, before the “Liberal” preaching and programs for group identity, rather than individualism. 

Illuminates the psychology of ethnic resentments in prospering economies.  Identifies “middleman minorities,” the successful business intermediaries between producers and consumers, Jewish groups and many others, and the pattern of hatred and violence against then in history around the world.  

Interesting sketch of the economic development of German principalities and culture, aided by the British and French, then the rapid rise after unification in the late 1800’s and subsequent attitudes toward Jews, abetted by the Great Depression.  “The rise of such a man [Hitler] as the leader of such a people should serve as a permanent warning to all people everywhere who are charmed by charisma or aroused by rhetoric.”  (Certainly a warning for our times.)

Traces the history of slavery worldwide, practiced not because it was thought moral, but because people did not consider the idea of individual freedom at all.  The British were the first to recognize slavery as immoral and influence Western culture for its elimination. 

“Two fundamental Western mental products, a universalistic conception of human beings and the rule of law.” 

“Those who have no conception of the Constitution of the United States . . . cannot be expected to defend its integrity . . .”

Sowell at his best!